In 2018 West Virginia led the nation in drug related overdose deaths, each school and county struggles with understanding and finding the resources to support students and their families. More children are displaced and living with grandparents, extended families, foster homes, homeless, and focused on the trauma experienced events in their lives. WV public schools must take a stance on drug prevention to ensure students are health liberate and understand the poor health, academic and economic outcomes with drug use/abuse.
Vaping
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol or a mix of small particles in the air. E-cigarettes come in various sizes and shapes and contain a battery, a place to hold a liquid, and a heating element. Today’s youth believe vaping is not as harmful as smoking a cigarette but once teenagers have vaped they soon become addicted to the nicotine and enjoy the flavors manufacturers have placed in the liquid. On January 2, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA, finalized a policy to prohibit selling E-cigarette flavorings other than tobacco or menthol unless approved by the FDA. Unfortunately, amongst U.S. teenagers, the use of e-cigarettes has led to hospitalizations and even deaths. Prevention and Awareness is a key factor in protecting today’s youth.